Moving a community’s housing and redevelopment goals forward takes properties, local knowledge, and people with time to follow through. In Marquette County, an established partnership between the Land Bank Authority and County Planning Division is bringing those resources together—and adding a new one: a CEDAM AmeriCorps CED Corps member who will help advance their shared work in 2026–2027.

The Michigan Land Bank Association (MLBA) today announced the appointment of Christopher Germain as the association’s first full-time Executive Director. Germain, a seasoned nonprofit executive and economic development leader, assumes the role this month. Germain succeeds Michelle Thompson, who has served as the organization’s first Executive Director in a part-time capacity since 2024. 

Game Changers - Rebuilding Michigan’s Cities, Rural Communities and Everywhere in Between

The 20-Year Impact of Michigan Land Banks from 2004-2023

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 MLBA Leadership Summit.

Slides from the summit are available for viewing using the read more link.

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2024 Leadership Summit.

Slides from the summit are available for viewing using the read more link.

Chris Holman welcomes back Eric A Schertzing, Consultant, Michigan Land Bank Association, who is joined for this conversation by Michelle Thompson, New Executive Director, Michigan Land Bank Association.